On Thursday, the church updated Elder Holland’s health condition in a statement, adding that he recently began dialysis for a kidney condition.

“Consequently, the First Presidency has excused him from all church assignments and meetings for at least two months to allow his medical treatments and recovery to take full effect,” the statement said. “Elder and Sister Holland note that they are very grateful for all the prayers and outpouring of support offered in their behalf at this time.”

Holland had been announced as the April 28 commencement speaker at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. He will not be able to fulfill that assignment due to the health concerns, according to the university.

Holland was admitted to the hospital in June of 2020 after several days of being ill. He tested negative for COVID-19 and, after having other diagnostic tests done, returned home a week later.

Courtesy photo

Holland, 82, was called as a General Authority in 1989 and an apostle on June 23, 1994. Prior to that, he served as the ninth president of Brigham Young University from 1980-1989. He is a former church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religion at BYU.

Holland was active in student government and was a varsity athlete at Dixie High School in his home town of St. George.

He started his higher education journey at Dixie College, now Utah Tech University, before serving an LDS Mission to Great Britain. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and religious education, respectively, from Brigham Young University and obtained master and doctor of philosophy degrees in American Studies from Yale University.

Prior to his call as an apostle, he served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Presidents Commission.

For his work in improving understanding between Christians and Jews he was awarded the “Torch of Liberty” award by the Anti-Defamation League of B’Nai B’rith. He has served on the governing boards of a number of civic and business related corporations and has received the “Distinguished Eagle Scout” award from the Boy Scouts of America.

Holland was born Dec. 3, 1940, to Frank D. and Alice Bentley Holland. In 1963, he married Patricia Terry. They are the parents of Elder Matthew Holland, a General Authority Seventy, Mary Alice and David, the parents-in-law of Paige, Lee and Jeanne, and the grandparents of 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.